Carlos Almendárez Jr

For the longest time now my mom, brother and I have been talking about taking a trip to Catalina Island. My mom has lived in Los Angeles for 30+ years but we’ve never had a chance to visit this island an hour away from the coast of Los Angeles.




Caption (above): Our ferry with the San Pedro bridge (not the actual name of the bridge) in the background.


Caption (above): Catalina made me think of being in the Mediterranean somewhere. Not as nice…but definitely reminded me of pictures I have seen. Wishful thinking?


Caption (above): Catalina coastline


Caption (above): Mom taking part in some mini-bowling


Caption (above): My brother with his best tiger woods impression during mini golf.


Caption (above): Mom mini-golfs


Caption (above): Mom and brother. Steve kicked my butt at mini golf.


Caption (above): Glass bottom boat was pretty cool.

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Caption (above): Mom is always a good sport. I was dying to see a Costa Rica v USA game at the Home Depot Center in Carson (near LA).


Caption (above): Mom and I in line to meet Cobi Jones


Caption (above): Mom



Caption (above): The Ticos were a fun bunch to play against. The fans were passionate but there were no fights breaking out like when the US plays Mexico, El Salvador or other more feisty countries.



Caption (above): I’m a sucker for those foam fingers.


Caption (above): Only in LA (or Central America) would there be a Pollo Campero at a soccer game. Awesome.


Caption (above): Cool to see a lot of latinos supporting team USA. I would say 80% of the crowd was pro-USA and over half of the US fans were latinos.


Caption (above): Got a picture with my favorite US soccer player of all time: Cobi Jones.



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There are few places I would rather be than Yosemite National Park. So close, so stunning and so many things to do.


Caption (above): The tent cabins at Curry Village. Awesome if you want some comfort. They have beds, lights and a safe for your stuff inside. They also give you linens.


Caption (above): The drag race on our 40 pound cruiser bikes. Mike won.


Caption (above): May consider getting one of these for my road bike


Caption (above): Swiss and I cuddling at the wifi cabin.


Caption (above): Largest fireplace I have ever seen. At the Ahwahnee.


Caption (above): Guys at brunch. All guy trips are advisable. Definitely has a different feel when women are around. The bar for appropriateness definitely drops. Loved brunch at the Ahwahnee. A bit steep though.